A 20-year-old man was arrested after walking through a Missouri Walmart, openly carrying an assault rifle and a handgun while wearing body armor. This incident has been widely condemned, especially given its timing, occurring just days after mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.
The man, identified as Dmitriy Andreychenko, reportedly told authorities that he wanted to test whether the store would respect his Second Amendment rights. According to a probable cause statement, his actions caused shoppers to flee in panic. He now faces a terrorist threat charge.
This incident occurred five days after a gunman killed 22 people at an El Paso Walmart and a day before another shooter killed nine in Dayton, Ohio. These mass murders have contributed to a heightened sense of fear and anxiety across the nation. The timing of Andreychenko’s stunt amplified the public’s reaction.
Andreychenko began recording himself in the parking lot of the Springfield Walmart. He retrieved body armor from his car trunk, grabbed a shopping cart, and then entered the store. A store manager activated a fire alarm, leading to the evacuation. An off-duty firefighter apprehended Andreychenko until police arrived and made the arrest. Fortunately, no shots were fired.
The probable cause document quoted Andreychenko stating he “wanted to know if Walmart honored the Second Amendment.” He claimed he purchased the rifle and body armor due to recent shootings and a stabbing, intending to protect himself.
Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson stated, “Missouri protects the right of people to open-carry a firearm, but that does not allow an individual to act in a reckless and criminal manner endangering other citizens.” Patterson likened Andreychenko’s actions to “falsely shouting fire in a theater, causing a panic,” as reported by Fox News.
If convicted of the felony charge of making a terrorist threat in the second degree, Andreychenko could face up to four years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Many hope that a significant sentence will deter others from similar actions.
Walmart issued a statement praising authorities for their swift response and banning Andreychenko from its stores. “This was a reckless act designed to scare people, disrupt our business and it put our associates and customers at risk,” said spokeswoman LeMia Jenkins. “We applaud the quick actions of our associates to evacuate customers from our store, and we’re thankful no one was injured.”
Missouri law allows individuals 19 years or older to openly or conceal carry a firearm without a permit since January 2017. Approximately 30 states permit the open carrying of handguns, rifles, and shotguns in public without a permit.
Advocates for the Second Amendment are urged to exercise sound judgment. Stunts like Andreychenko’s can lead to stricter gun control legislation and erode the rights of law-abiding citizens. The trauma caused by such actions is inexcusable and counterproductive to responsible gun ownership.
Defensive gun use is a serious topic, and this kind of behavior only serves to undermine the efforts of responsible gun owners. Police officers and citizens alike depend on the responsible exercise of Second Amendment rights to protect themselves and others.